Leeds Festival continued on Saturday and following the woes of Friday brought about by Storm Lilian it was back to business as usual. Perhaps you could say the winds of change had arrived, as beautiful sunny weather shone down on Brahman Park.
And whilst two of the stages remained closed from the previous day, there were so many musical acts performing across the site that perhaps the festival punters had already made peace with it. Thankfully the organisers were able to rehouse some of the acts who could not perform on Friday and gave them a new slot on Saturday leading to an action-packed day at the event.
US rising star Dasha was the first to make an appearance on the main stage. Bedecked in denim shorts and cowboy boots the artist was the only country act on this weekend’s bill. But she certainly made an impression. Full of confidence and stage presence in spades Dasha showed that she is one to watch out for in future. Dasha’s single “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” has had over 450 million streams on Spotify and of course, was included in the set.
A politically charged show from Kneecap featured mid-afternoon. The Irish rappers arrived fresh from Reading although by their admission it was a bit too early in the day for them. Despite this, the enigmatic trio blew the cobwebs off those present, in Bramham Park. There were many Irish tricolour flags in the audience, and the group's DJ sported a patriotic balaclava of the same colour scheme.
Northern outfit The K’s, were always going to receive a warm welcome in Bramham Park. The group are no strangers to this festival having performed at the event in previous years. The band’s recent chart-topping album provided The K’s with an arsenal of indie anthems which fuelled the Leeds crowd throughout. Fan favourite Sarajevo had the fans singing at the top of their lungs.
Saturday’s bill featured a strong representation from the rock, metal, and alternative scenes. US-based quartet Spiritbox were one of the highlights of the afternoon, the group delivered perhaps the heaviest set of the day on the main stage. A double performance by UK rockers Neck Deep was a highlight for many. A pyro-fueled set on the main stage was followed by a classics set in the Festival Republic tent early in the evening. The latter was so busy fans peered into the tent from outside trying to get a glimpse of their favourite band.
Having been rescheduled from Friday’s bill Ashnikko wowed the Leeds crowd with her style, energy, choreography and musical repertoire on Saturday afternoon.
Having been closed on Friday due to the high winds it was finally time for the ground-breaking Chevron Stage to make an appearance and it did not disappoint. US rapper Denzel Curry and a rescheduled performance by legendary DJ Skrillex were massive draws for those not of the rock/metal persuasion.
The Chevron Stage itself features a sea of lights which spans above the arena floor allowing for spectacular production enhancements to the sets of performers on the stage. Imagine being in an arena-sized open-air nightclub and perhaps you will get the idea.
Whilst Blink 182 topped the main stage, a massive crowd turned up as the night sky fell over Bramham Park for Chevron Stage headliners The Prodigy. The group's bass lines were so heavy you could feel it in your chest as the legendary outfit shuck the foundations of Leeds Festival with tracks like Omen, Spitfire and Voodoo People. The band paid homage to the talismanic Keith Flint with an airing of Firestarter during which laser lights outlined a resemblance of The Prodigy’s fallen bandmate. It was a heartfelt touch to an explosive set. And the perfect way to round out Saturday night.
Leeds Festival concludes on Sunday with headliners Fred Again, Lana Del Rey and the Wombats topping the bill.
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